Types of Saligramams

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Dear Bhagavathas,

 

In continuation of Sri Mohan's note on Saligrama, here is some additional

info on Saligrama which I found in a Kannada book (referenced below). Will

try to write more later.

 

Saligrama, a sacred Gandaki river stone is a special Avatara of Maha Vishnu.

It is always placed with Tulasi (signifying Lakshmi). In some parts of India,

Tulasi vivaham with Saligramam is conducted- sort of Kalyanotsavam for

Saligrmam and Tulasi. In a way we can compare Saligramam worship as the

Vaishnavites equivalent of worship of tiny Lingam by Veera Shivas.

 

Twenty five types of Saligrama are known. These are classified based on

shap, size, color, openings (Dwaras), Chakras(natural carvings), lines etc.

Some examples are as follows:

 

1. Lakshminarayana Saligrama: Light dark in color, one opening, four chakras

and one line.

 

2. Pradhyumna Saligrama: Small, one chakra on the top, and with crooked

openings.

 

3. Aniruddah Saligrama: Round, light yellow to yellow color, smooth glass

like appearnace. Brongs peace and happiness to the owner.

 

4. Vasudeva Saligrama: Equivalent to worshipping Krishna himself. Round,

shiny, with one opening surrounded by two chakras. Brings to devotees their

heart's desires.

 

5. Sankarshana Saligrama: Two chakras facing each other. Narrow in the front

and wider at the back. For Brahmacharis, it brings knowledge.

 

6. Narasimha Saligrama: Worshipped with great devotion. Contains two chakras

and shape is varied. The devotee of this Saligrama becomes a sarva sanga

tyagi (renunciate) and a jitendria.

 

7. Lakshmi Narasimha Saligrama: Not a sugra as the Narasimha Saligrama. This

Saligrama is thus an embodiment of pleasantness.

This has a wide opening, has two chakra an also has a garland type of line.

This brings to the devotees peace and solace.

 

8. Hayagriva Saligrama: Horse faced with two chakras. Not so appealing in

appearance. Specially for gnanam (education).

 

9. Sudarshana Saligrama: Has a ordinary form with one Chakra.

 

10. Gadadhara Saligrama: Very ordinary with one chakra.

 

11. Madhusudana Saligrama: Dark cloud color and wheel shape. Has the sign

similar to foot print of a calf. Very Holy.

 

12. Lakshminarayana Saligrama: One opening with a garland like line. color of

dark clouds, four chakras. Very rare and special. Fulfils all desires of

Bhaktas.

 

13. Lakshmijanardhana Saligrama: Same as above (12) but without garland shape

line.

 

14. Vamana Saligrama: Small in size, lighter shade of black color, two

chakras with no opening.

 

15. Sridhara Saligrama: Same as above(14) but with a garland like line.

Brings good luck and progress to the devotees.

 

16. Raghunatha Saligrama: Two openings, four chakras and a sign similar to

foot print of a calf.

 

17. Damodara Saligrama: Huge, found commonly in temples. Has two chakras.

 

18. RaNa Rama Saligrama: Round, moderate size, with two chakras, baby feet

sign, bow and arrow signs.

 

19. Rajarajeshwara Saligrama: Same shape as above (17), but with seven

chakras and the sign of an umbrella(Chatri). Brings Raja Yoga and Raja

Sanmanam to the devotees.

 

20. Anantha Saligrama: Pitch black with 14 chakras. Holiest of the

Saligramas. Very rare.

 

Reference: Saligrama Mattu Sri Tulasi (Saligrama and Tulasi), a Kannada book

by Vidvan Raghusuta, 1994 . Srivaishnava Goshti, Sheshadripuram, Bangalore.

Pub: Sri lakshmi Prasanna, Bangalore-54. Price Rs. 12.

(To be continued).

 

Dasan,

 

K. Sreekrishna (Tatachar)